Emerson Knives

I was wondering what the general concencous was on Emerson Knives. (I currently own Benchmades, Emerson, Spydercos, Colombia River and Sog knives) My experiences with them have been less than stellar with the Emerson (CQC7 Wave Design)

Gripes:
Pivot pins coming loose.
Crummy liner lock.
Also a pain in the rear to sharpen.
Not so world class customer service.
Does not come as sharp as other manufactors.

If you enjoyed reading about "Emerson Knives" here in TheHighRoad.org archive, you'll LOVE our community. Come join TheHighRoad.org today for the full version!

deputy tom

March 14, 2003, 12:47 PM

45R,I've had several EKI knives and on some the QC just wasn't there.The last few I bought have been pretty nice.Sharpening is difficult as You stated.I'm currently selling/trading off My EKI's in favor of another brand.tom.:)

Drjones

March 14, 2003, 06:00 PM

Dude, just get a Strider!

You know you want one!!!

They even make folders, too!

Tamara

March 14, 2003, 06:22 PM

...I carry an Emerson Commander in my right pocket every day.

Annoying things:
Some rough edges in the fit & finish department.
I have to tighten the pivot once a week or so (but, hey, all that takes is a thumbnail or a flathead).
Bizarre left-hand chisel edge makes for annoying sharpening and complicates letter-opening.

The Big Positive Factor:
It's a really beefy knife made of totally adequate steel with the Wave for insta-opening convenience.

45R

March 15, 2003, 01:55 AM

Dr. Jones:

I would be all over a Strider but what would the sheeples say when they come to my office and see a huge folder? HEHEHEHEHE
You have to bring yours out to the shoot! A STRIDER would look good with a 1911. :)

Tamara:
I almost bought a Commander a while back but some of QC issues such as the pivot and the crummy finish just turned me off. I picked up a Benchmade AFCK with Axis lock. :) If the Emerson was easier to sharpen I would be a little happier with it.

mtnbkr

March 15, 2003, 07:49 AM

If Emerson didn't have the Wave, they wouldn't get nearly the attention they get. Kind of like Kershaw and SpeedSafe.

That said, I really want a Mini CQC7A. Unfortuately, I have yet to find one that doesn't feel like a cheap knife. The last one I handled had liners and scales that didn't match. I'm not paying $80+ for that. I might pay $40 or so for one though, but they never sell for that price.

Chris

para.2

March 15, 2003, 12:31 PM

...But I've had, and carried daily, an EKI CQC7 since shortly after they became a production item. Only complaints I've had are:
1. for the first 3-4 months, it wore a hole in the top of whatever pants pocket I carried it in. Now it's smoothed out, and doesn't rub anymore. In hindsight, a few minutes with some 400 grit sandpaper probably would have saved me a couple pair of pants.
2. I have to really concentrate to get the angle right on that chisel- ground edge. When I do, it comes up to a shaving edge in a minute or two.
Never had a problem with the lock, pivot screw coming loose, or any of the other stuff you hear of. It's solid, durable, sharp, and TACTICAL:rolleyes: (sorry, i couldn't resist).:D YMMV;)

Drjones

March 15, 2003, 06:42 PM

45R:

Copy that on the Striders.

They are, uh, large....

:D

They do make the "SnG" which is intended for EDC moreso than the AR/GB. (Read: More sheeple-friendly, though many people will think you a mass-murderer if you carry anything more than a SAK... :rolleyes: )

Anyhow, I like to buy the best, and Strider is just that.

I'd just save up for one....

Will bring my BT to the shoot.... :)

Charles S

March 15, 2003, 07:13 PM

I guess I have just been fortunate. All of the EKI products I have owned have been outstanding. My current carry almost always includes Emerson products. I agree that the wave is a major selling point. I currently own three waved products.

I frequently find myself in Arkansas and their law limits the knife to 3 1/2 inches.:banghead: This precludes some of my other favorites e.g. the Spyderco Military, the Microtech LCC and the Emerson Commander.

I am currently very fond of these folders.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=155457:D

Charles

Big Bad Wolf

March 16, 2003, 12:07 PM

I have 2 Emerson Commanders and 1 CQC-7 and all of them are marvels in fit and finish. Each of which is a 2002 model.

I have had only positive experiances dealing with EKI for custumer service related issues, however the knives themselves have some issues I'll address now.

1. .5 Ti liners, IMHO they are cheap and flimsy to support the massive Commander's slashing blade, for the CQC-7 they are descent.

2. 154cm steel, for the price of an Emerson the blade material should be a better steel like D2, M2, or S30V. I'm affraid 154cm is quickly becoming an industry standard and has long since been improved upon.

3. Left side chisel grind, while the chisel grind itself does not bother me the grind being on the left side pisses me off to no end. It's a PIA to sharpen and forget about trying to peel an apple or open a letter.

These are really the only gripes I have with EKI, they aren't deal breaking and the pro's of EKI (i.e. ergonomics, quality, Wave, fit, and finish) far out way the con's.

If you enjoyed reading about "Emerson Knives" here in TheHighRoad.org archive, you'll LOVE our community. Come join TheHighRoad.org today for the full version!